Ministry Moments October 28th – November 3, 2013

This morning’s Message is given by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (aka Pastor Greg Kaurin). Pastor Bonhoeffer was born in Germany on Feb. 4, 1906. To his family’s dismay he decided to study theology and become a Lutheran pastor. His doctoral thesis, The Communion of the Saints, is still a primary textbook for Lutheran and Protestant seminaries around the world. This morning’s sermon against fear was delivered 80 years ago to St. Matthew’s Church, Berlin just after the New Year in 1933. He could sense – and publically opposed – the fear and hostility that fueled the Nazi rise to power. In 1935 he established the unauthorized Finkenwalde Seminary for the “ConfessingChurch.” The ConfessingChurch opposed the national GermanEvangelicalChurch’s strong support of and connections with the Nazi government. Eventually he delivered messages to Allied Forces, including notes regarding attempts to assassinate Hitler. In 1943 he was arrested and put in prison where he continued writing and preaching and left a deep impression on both prisoners and guards. Finally on April 8, 1945, age the age of 39, he was executed by hanging, two weeks before the concentration camp was liberated by the U.S.

90th and 97th.

This morning our 7th-9th grade AOB students are worshiping at the Seattle Mennonite Church as part of their “Our Neighbors’ Faith” curriculum. On Friday evening they will visit Temple Beth-El in Tacoma for a 7:30 p.m. service. An invitation is given to anyone who would like to experienceworshiping at other churches. Talk to Traci Vatne for details.

New members to be received… On Nov. 24th we will be receiving new members by transfer from other Lutheran congregations and by affirmation of faith. In preparation, Pastor GregKaurin will be leading three sessions of class on Sundays, Nov. 3, 10 and 17 at 9:30 a.m. in the youth room. For further information, please call the church office, 253-833-5280, or e-mail info@MessiahLutheranChurchAuburnWA.org. Taking the class gives you a time to ask questions but does not commit you to making a decision at this time about joining Messiah. In the meantime we welcome you to all that the congregation offers in Word and Sacrament.

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY – next Sunday ….. All Saints Sunday is celebrated in Christian churches around the world. If you lost a loved one during the past year, we invite you to let us know who you would like to commemorate. Their names will be printed in the worship bulletin and posted on the screen at a special time in the worship service. We also invite you to bring some kind ofmemento, such as a photograph of the person, to be displayed on a large table in the Gathering Space that Sunday morning. Please call the office to let us know who you would like to commemorate (253-833-5280), or write a note on today’s worship registration card, or e-mail info@MessiahLutheranChurchAuburnWA.org

COOKIES! COOKIES! COOKIES! We thank Marlene Anderson for several years of seeing that we had cookies and sweet breads available between Sunday worship services. Judy Ruud, Patty Jourden and Cheryl Sinclair are now serving in that capacity and they need help in getting donations. Your donations can be brought into the kitchen on Sunday mornings or left in the freezer during the week. Please label “Sunday cookies.” Thank you!

Secular Plays in a Church Facility?

The Messiah Players often perform thought-provoking plays even when the subject matter isn’t always explicitly religious or ‘G’-rated. Messiah Players chooses plays—not just for entertainment—but for their subjects. *Re: the performance and challenge of secular plays, watch for Pr. Greg’s article in November’s Messenger.

Parents and others, please note: This fall’s production of Neil Simon’s The Good Doctor (based on several of Anton Chekhov’s 19th century plays and short stories) contains difficult themes couched in satire and humor. Like Chekhov, this play deals with subjects including class systems, attraction and infidelity, risking life for the sake of money and entertainment, sexism, liberal parenting and even the flesh trade. While satire is meant to critique and not to condone its subjects, such irony and humor can be misinterpreted and confusing.

After the performances, please let us know if you would be interested in a follow-up forum with the pastors and some of the players on the specific and contemporary themes that “The Good Doctor” raises. [See enclosed flyer for performance details].

Youth News for the coming week…

SOAP SUNDAYS! During the month of October, our Sunday School students collect bars

of non-scented soap (Ivory) to be given to Lutheran World Relief. The students

encourage the adults of the congregation to help in their collection! Soap can be brought

to the church at any time and left in the Christian Ed. office. Thanks!

POTLUCK, CARNIVAL & TRUNK or TREAT THIS EVENING – 5-7:30 p.m. This is a

family event for all ages – bring something good for the potluck!

WOW! 6-8 p.m. at Messiah for all 6th-12th graders. Come for a good meal and discussion.

Our Messiah food bank isopen every Wednesday from 9:30-10:30. This week we served 38 families and we thank the volunteers, Vennie Decker, Helga Markussen & Nanette Padero and children from her 1st grade class at Valley Christian School. If you want to donate toward purchasing items for the food bank and the Sunday Community Meal, there are special offering plates available as you return to your seat following communion. Fresh produce, disposable diapers and toilet tissue are always needed for our food bank. We thank Arnie Galli for the gift of 6 boxes of apples from Chelan that are being used for the Sunday meal and our food bank.

It’s cold outside! And the need is great for coats, sweaters, jackets, and blankets. We welcome your used clothing, clean and in good condition, that can be given to families in need who come to our Wednesday food bank and the community meal on Sundays. We have volunteers here on Tuesdays and Thursdays to sort by size and category. Thank you!

Sunday Afternoon Community Meal, 2-3:00 p.m. every Sunday at Messiah for the homeless or anyone who walks in the door. Volunteers are always needed to prepare, cook, serve and clean up for 80-130 people. Last Sundaythe Chamberlain, Richards & Radabaush families cooked and served.Today’s hosts are theMcLaughlins, Halvorsens & members of AHS Honor Society. If you have a few hours to donate, check out the calendar hanging outside the kitchen door and sign up to help – or just come on a Sunday around noon and find out what’s involved. Contact Laura Kniss, 253-952-6633 or Laura85@Harbornet.com.